So, for today, you get a hodge-podge of totally random crap, just because it’s floating around in my head. Aren’t you lucky!?
Why yes, yes you are. (Just smile and nod in agreement. Don’t disagree with the crazy lady.)
So, first off, when I did the post with the video of Braden and the Bubble Machine, several of you asked about the bubble machine. IT IS AWESOME. Just my humble opinion. Braden has loved it from the very first time we used it, and, I will childishly admit that so have I. I’m a sucker for a bubble – that’s why I call them tiny packages of happy – and a machine that spits them out non-stop is a machine Momma likes.
It’s from Summer Infant. I first saw it from OneStepAhead, but you can buy it cheaper at Walmart. (Those last 2 links go right to the product, btw.) I picked ours up at a local Walmart, so no shipping and the base price was lower. I made sure to tell you about both, though: for the cheapies (like me) and the Walmart Haters (like me, but who aren’t cheapies).
***
Next up, I wanted to mention that “Operation Potty Familiarize” has begun. No, we aren’t exactly expecting Braden to be Potty Trained at 15 months. What we do expect is that familiarizing him with it now will make things much easier in the future. And? He has peed a nice long pee in the potty twice this week. YAY!
(And do you care? I dunno. But I like to talk about poop and pee, so there you have it.)
We have this Baby Björn potty:
given to us by my sister (the one he’s peed in twice), and we just bought this Graco potty:
for its many cool features (like cushioned seat, easy to clean collection bowl, and removeable ring for use on toilet) and b/c Veronica at Toddled Dredge said good things about it in her potty review.
***
For those of you who are following my Hashimotos Thyroiditis Escapades from me revealing my problems to the lab work and how my vagina fell off, and then on to finally hearing back on my tests… the latest news is that:
1) I still haven’t paid my lab bill of $387. Better pay it. We’re about to incur even MORE expenses…
2) I FINALLY heard back on an appointment with the Endocrinologist (after waiting for only a week and a half – yay for prompt medical attention!) and I have an appointment scheduled for January 28th.
I would like to mention that neither my doctor, nor any of the nurses, have decided to give a shit that I walked into that office and told them that I have been feeling very depressed lately. I was told that I would not be receiving an anti-depressant to help with that since the underlying medical problem could be the cause. Of course, they didn’t refer me to a therapist or counselor of any kind either. Just have to wait over a month to even have an appointment to get that checked is all… sure hope you don’t kill yourself or anything in the meanwhile… Is that responsible patient care? Just wondering.
***
While responding in e-mail to comments left on the Screamie McGee post on Monday, I found myself sharing a gem with a couple of folks (MP and Bill), and I decided I’d pass it on to all of you, because it made me chuckle. So, it follows:
[As per Braden's screaming lately:]
John and I have decided that we are partly to blame. Braden sees us yell when we get mad.
Me to dog: “NO! NO! BAD DOG! GO GET IN YOUR BED! LIE DOWN! STAY!
John to TV: “NO, NO NO… YOU IDIOTS! BLITZ! OOOOHHHH, THAT WAS A HORRIBLE CALL! I HOPE YOU DIE!”
Me to John: “STOP YELLING AT THE TV, DAMNIT!”
Both of us to Braden: “STOP SCREAMING, THAT’S SO ANNOYING!!!!!!!!!”
It’s like, uh, spanking your kids for hitting? Heh.
So, part of our battle plan [to rid us of The Shriek] is a kinder and gentler John & Lotus. No more yelling to solve our problems.
Damnit @ kids making us be better people!
***
Are you clicking all the links? Don’t make me record your ISP and find out where you live, only to hunt you down and obsessively watch you through the window of your home, while clenching a hunting knife between my teeth.
Cause, I will SO totally use it to cut through your cable line. So there.
Now, go vote for me in some of those categories on the right sidebar. Not because I’m threatening you or anything, but because you honestly think I’m funny, like my parenting tidbits, dig my photography, and find me to be a hot mommy. Even though I have a muffin-top and backfat.
#1 by Hecticmom Undone on January 15, 2008 - 12:31 AM
Oh dudette! We have the most awesomest bubble machine: See a picture here: http://flickr.com/photos/cmcvay/487533625/ It even makes bubbles inside of bubbles. I totally dig it. The thing makes super duper huge-monkey sized bubbles. Unfortunately, I don’t know what the bubble maker is called. Just thought our bubble pictures rocked.
As far as the shrieker – it will pass. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now – but having had a shrieking vomitor (shriek so hard she would vomit – gross, right? Because it happened MULTIPLE times a day) who passed through the stage after a couple of months (only like 5 or 6 – seems like nothing now.) She is now super duper duper duper sweet and gives us no problems at all (at 9 years old and hasn’t since she was a toddler). The non-shrieker – he’s our problem kid now (omg. I would rather have had a shrieker at this point.) Hang in there! It will pass (even when it seems like it will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever end. No one ever told me it woudl pass – it will. I promise.)
Hecticmom Undone’s last blog post..Sorry boys
#2 by Kat on January 15, 2008 - 12:56 AM
Oh, Lotus. You are so funny.
Wise parenting choice… let us know if it helps. I may have to stop laying on the floor and kicking things when I get mad if that’s actually where my kid is getting his ideas for these bad habits.
And, don’t let them give you anti-depressants. They are so yucky. Yuckier than being depressed.
You still manage to make me laugh every day.
Kat’s last blog post..Jealous?
#3 by Mackenzies Momma on January 15, 2008 - 1:08 AM
Oh man lotus I think I PMP a little reading this. I may have to see if I can track down that bjorn potty as I am getting tired of finding potty parts in the living room(where they clearly don’t belong).
As for the HT when I got depressed(before I was diagnosed w/ HT) the antidepressants they put me on actually made me feel worse than I felt with just the HT stuff. When I go into the doctor tommorow I am going to talk to her about getting a referall to an endocrinologist to get my labwork and such done, because I am having some serious issues.
Oh! I almost forgot you should check out my newest blog(todays) for the new ’skinny’ pose! It hides your butt, and makes your legs look incredibly long(as demonstrated by my toddler).
Mackenzies Momma’s last blog post..I was going to write a really insightful post….
#4 by Veronica on January 15, 2008 - 1:43 AM
Bubble Machine! Yay!
Operation Potty Familiarize is going to be starting here very soon. She knows when she has to wee now and generally lets me know too. Clever girl.
YAY@ getting an appointment on the 28th! That is fantastic. Good thing you didn’t go psycho in the meantime, although you may have missed your chance to plead insanity in anything you may have wanted to do.
The yelling? Yeah, we yell too much as well. Working on that.
As fot Kevin and Leroy, here is a whole site donated to making you feel better.
http://theshapeofamother.com/
Veronica’s last blog post..Am I Allowed To Talk About This?
#5 by Kara - down to earth mommy on January 15, 2008 - 2:03 AM
I got nothing, yo.
Thanks for the Hodge Podge.
Kara – down to earth mommy’s last blog post..A Brand New Day
#6 by kim aka frogpondsrock on January 15, 2008 - 4:10 AM
yay for the appointment on the 28th.. thanks to Veronica for the link to the proper pics of real mothers with real bellies YAY..
cheers kim xxx
kim aka frogpondsrock’s last blog post..Storm in a T-Shirt..
#7 by Kelley on January 15, 2008 - 5:43 AM
The screeching thing? Yeah Boo has started it. Little turd must have been reading your blog.
However I get a choice of key. today’s selection was d and b. Brought to you by mummy losing her freaking mind…..
Kelley’s last blog post..It’s all about you…
#8 by kara on January 15, 2008 - 8:26 AM
The screaming thing sucks. Hope it’s over soon.
Um…I walked into my doctors office and begged for zoloft and they laughed at me. Told me I had to see a therapist first, went to a therapist cried my eyes out and she said she wasn’t able to write the presciption my pcp had to do it. Went back to said doctor and cried some more and even expressed how damn depressed I was and after 2 more months of crying he gave me the goddman zoloft. Doctors suck and they aren’t the best at knowing what you need…so forcing the issue helps. I swear. Keep bugging the nurses, the doctors, the receptionist until you get what you need…not what they think you need. ((hugs))
kara’s last blog post..I will not complain
#9 by witchypoo on January 15, 2008 - 8:29 AM
Hey, don’t be hunting me down with your magic ISP detecting tool of death. I happened to remember the posts you linked to, and I voted in all categories. I been good, honest.
witchypoo’s last blog post..Going on Strike
#10 by Autumn Dahlia on January 15, 2008 - 8:30 AM
I’m absorbing, I’m absorbing…. and clicking, yes clicking!
I’m actually supposed to get this thyroid hoogie-ma-jiggy testing done next week. I better bring my $387! Oh, and I think lab bills are like Dr bills in the way that they can’t send the big, bad collections monster after you – as long as you are paying something. Even if it’s $5.
I mean… uh, so I hear…..er…. um, I mean if I WASN’T one of those people that lives the extremely lavish lifestyle that affords me to pay everything in full apon arrival. Um, err… that’s crap, I so pay slowly… but (mostly) surely.
Autumn Dahlia’s last blog post..Sugar we’re goin down swingin
#11 by Don Mills Diva on January 15, 2008 - 9:08 AM
I’ll go throw in a few more votes for ya -s ounds like you could use it – $387 for a test – yikes that sucks!
Don Mills Diva’s last blog post..Indulge me?
#12 by Gordo on January 15, 2008 - 9:13 AM
Yikes! I already voted and clicked and everything! Really! I swear!
I’m sooooo calling my wife about that baby trade deal. Sounds awesome. I wonder what I can get for a three-year-old!
Gordo’s last blog post..A winnah!
#13 by MP on January 15, 2008 - 9:40 AM
Since we have an 8 year old we do not have the need for a potty..and you know what, we never had one..we made the big guy get on the big potty..Hmmmm wonder why? Oh well, it worked.
I did laugh at your comment..we yell at the dog: JACK NO..JACK QUIT HUMPING..then the 8 year old started yelling at the dog..and the cats and we realize he yells lounder than either of us… If it makes my ears rings I can only imagine what our yelling does to his little ears.
MP’s last blog post..What is going on..
#14 by Eve on January 15, 2008 - 9:57 AM
So many things I could say. So little interest in hearing them. Don’t stress too much over the depression – Now that sounds dumb! However, the endo should be able to give you some relief. A thyroid imbalance can cause depression, anxiety, and a whole lot of other nasty, bad mood stuff. I think I told you my daughter thought her husband was alternately Satan or God, didn’t I? Anyway, they like to treat the underlying problem first before treating the symptoms. It’s possible you won’t need the antidepressant. And if you feel the need to talk to someone who understands your pain, call me. I don’t even charge by the hour.
I’m so impressed that you are doing the potty thing and that Braden has actually used it twice! Sounds like he’s ready to start the transition to “big boy.” Timing is so important in potty training. Maybe when he doesn’t have to wear diapers any more he’ll quit screaming. I would scream if I had to be in diapers.
Eve’s last blog post..Ever Have One of Those Days?
#15 by Marie on January 15, 2008 - 9:58 AM
My kids like to say “freaking dammit.” Don’t know where they got it, I use much stronger language myself.
As per the depression, ugh! When are people going to take it seriously? I think people are even less inclined to take depression seriously in a woman because they like to blame everything on hormones. Even if it is hormones, whatever the cause may be, HELP ME for crying out loud! Yes! I cry for help!
Marie’s last blog post..No pill just yet…
#16 by Jamie on January 15, 2008 - 10:39 AM
We are STILL hacking away at my boob MRI bill from last year. It’s down to $500.
Cough.
Also, Miss A is now wearing big girl panties during the day. Yea! Now if I can just get her to poop in da potty.
I’m sorry about all the general medical yuckiness…no fun at all.
Jamie’s last blog post..I’ve Got the Urge, the Urge to Purge
#17 by Kim on January 15, 2008 - 10:44 AM
I voted already so leave my cable line alone..
Good luck on the potty training thing.. I will send you my three year old when you are done with your 15 month old.. damn stubborn child (mine not yours of course..)
When lurking on your page the other day (your Saturday Skinny post) my son was hovering over my back and said mommy that girl is pretty is she your friend? I said, no honey.. she is mommy’s friend in her head.. and yes she is pretty..
Kim’s last blog post..Mommy Monster VS. Batman
#18 by Bill on January 15, 2008 - 11:14 AM
We’ve got a bubble machine like that at the strip club at which I DJ. Don’t worry about your vagina falling off; a lot of the girls at the strip club at which I DJ have had their vaginas fall off. I hardly ever click your links, but I’d ask that you don’t come to my home. If you must stalk me I’d prefer you obsessively watch me through the window of the strip club at which I DJ. There’s usually a ½ dozen regulars who wait for the girls out back with hunting knives clenched in their teeth so you’ll fit right in.
Bill’s last blog post..Paul is Dead: Understanding the Words That Are Coming Out of Your Child’s Mouth
#19 by mamafabulosity on January 15, 2008 - 11:50 AM
Thanks for letting us know about the bubble machine. I can’t wait to get one, for my kids of course.
I’m sorry about your high bill. I went in at the beginning of my last pregnancy because I was bleeding and cramping and they let me sit there for five hours! I thought I was having a miscarriage and they just let me sit there. Then they charged me three dollars for two tylenol! You should just not pay the bill and go into hiding.
As for the depression, no one really knows what you need better than you do. If you really think you need medicine then go sit in their waiting room sobbing uncontrollably and I’ll bet they’ll listen.
If it makes you feel any better I’m going to vote for you right now.
mamafabulosity’s last blog post..I betcha didn’t know…
#20 by Beck on January 15, 2008 - 11:54 AM
A bubble machine! Lucky.
I think most toddlers go through that screaming thing. It does not last, unless you’re really cursed.
Of course, if you’re a family of yellers, odds are that you’re going to end up with a yelling kid. My children are all peaceful angels, of course (I’m lying, they yell.).
Beck’s last blog post..Look what my husband built me!
#21 by Dawn on January 15, 2008 - 12:33 PM
UGH! Don’t you hate it when you realize “I learned it by watching you Dad I learned it by watching you!” isn’t just an 80’s commercial anymore?
Dawn’s last blog post..On being invisible
#22 by anne on January 15, 2008 - 1:10 PM
Yo, I voted for you BECAUSE of the backfat and muffin top. Because I have them, too, and it does not diminish in your mommy hottiness, and maybe one day I will be similarly brave, break out the camera, and introduce the world to Pancho and Pedro. (No idea why a Florida cracker-girl’s fat rolls have Hispanic names, but hey…)
anne’s last blog post..I want to eat these NOW.
#23 by Groovy Mom on January 15, 2008 - 1:14 PM
I have found that crying while rocking back and forth and scratching obsessively at an invisible spot on your arm is very effective for getting anti-depressant medication prescribed. I was shooting for a commitment to a mental institution because that sounded like a mommy dream vacation to me, but oh well.
Groovy Mom’s last blog post..Morning Breath
#24 by Makeshift Mama on January 15, 2008 - 1:29 PM
Hope that works for ya! With out kid, though, the shrieking and the yelling are two different things. She’ll yell words (or “words”) to express anger, or she’ll shriek to express anger, or sometimes she’ll just shriek for fun (whee?), but I think only the yelling is an imitation of us… If you come up with a shriek-stopping strategy – whether this one or another one – that works for Braden, please tell us all about it!
Makeshift Mama’s last blog post..Today was a very uneventful day.
#25 by Robyn on January 15, 2008 - 2:01 PM
I haven’t decided if I like your writing yet…or if I am scared of you….LOL..
In regards to the bubble machine…that is pretty cool…I think i will check that out…
I don’t think I have ever been able to get a kid to go potty before 2 before…that is pretty impressive….Jeremy just colored with a crayon….does that count?
Jeremy just turned one on Jan 10th…and yelled SHUB UB GIBO a couple weeks ago (code for “shut up Gizmo” -who is our dog) so apparently we are also yelling to much….um we decided we had better put a lid on it, before he started sharing with polite society some of the other things we are caught saying….
#26 by Jenty on January 15, 2008 - 2:17 PM
Those are very cool potties! Good luck with the training! It’s not easy
My word, that’s a long time to wait for your appointment!
Jenty’s last blog post..Pregnant mothers beware!
#27 by Anglophile Football Fanatic on January 15, 2008 - 2:35 PM
I know that your endocrinologist will care about all your symptoms and will do what is best. You keep a fellow thyroid disfuctioning Texan in the loop, kay?
And, holy cow! He’s already peed in the pot? Mine’s almost three & won’t do that. WOOT! for you!!
Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..Benadryl Brain at Two o’clock
#28 by Secret Agent Mama on January 15, 2008 - 3:42 PM
Switch doctors, yo. That’s just BUNK!
Go Braden, Bo Graden, YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you ever need to talk, I’m an IM or email away.
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..Rate the Hate | Picture Edition
#29 by Tanya on January 15, 2008 - 4:30 PM
I love bubbles! They keep jordon amused for hours.
Maybe I should get one and just set it up and see how long he stays there for. We sit with the traditional bubble wand and solution and blow them ourselves. Often this can last for 2 hours until he gets sick of me taking photos of the bubbles instead of playing with him.
Tanya’s last blog post..Procrastination is the name of the game
#30 by KatieFeldmom on January 15, 2008 - 4:36 PM
I *did* click all of the links — especially the bubble ones … I need a new one because ours is worn out.
WOW that Braden already peed in the potty. Mine took forever to get to that stage.
KatieFeldmom’s last blog post..BodyBugg Averages
#31 by Ree on January 15, 2008 - 4:36 PM
…working on 4 hours of sleep here so I can only remember the last thing you wrote.
You are a hot mommy!
Ree’s last blog post..Arrived
#32 by Christine on January 15, 2008 - 5:02 PM
I have more back fat than you do.
And ALL doctors don’t suck. Just ask my husband.
(did I really just write that out loud?)
Christine’s last blog post..One day closer to AARP, except I have to really work to retire, right?
#33 by julie on January 15, 2008 - 5:21 PM
We did surprise potty training with Tess, the last of my kidlets…I bought the undies, to start the familiarization process. My husband put the undies on her and went off to work, FORGETTING TO TELL ME. Tess ran around for an hour or two (this is the part where you get to see how observant a mommy I am) before I noticed she was missing the diaper bulge. We had a little chat that night about making decisions TOGETHER.
Of course she decided she loved wearing undies, since we had a big multi day driving trip coming up…which is why I hadn’t started her on potty training. Traveling with a newly potty trained toddler is just so much fun. You get to stop every 17 minutes, haul the kidlet and the potty out of the car, so that said kidlet can sit there for 3 seconds before she decides she doesn’t have to go. Or she pees in her car seat.
This is the same kid who had to poop every time she went in a public toilet for years. Free toilet paper? She knew public toilets are repulsive to me? I don’t know why.
julie’s last blog post..If it’s Tuesday, it must be….. …. ….. …….Tree Tuesday!
#34 by amy on January 15, 2008 - 5:26 PM
Oh I love random posts, it’s how our minds really operate anyway!
amy’s last blog post..Hip to be Square
#35 by janet on January 15, 2008 - 6:04 PM
my favorite technique was always to scream at the child to stop screaming. works like a charm. i mean, uh, what? i can’t hear you cuz i’m deaf from all the screaming.
and yay for you for peeing.
wait. i meant yay for you for braden peeing.
obviously, i need coffee.
janet’s last blog post..Why my hair is prematurely gray …
#36 by Tasina on January 15, 2008 - 6:42 PM
WTF????
“Do as I say and not as I do” isn’t right????
I’m going to have some problems.
Tasina’s last blog post..Random photos
#37 by ALH on January 15, 2008 - 7:34 PM
For you: http://faithinwomen.blogspot.com/2008/01/tag-im-it.html
ALH’s last blog post..tag… i’m it
#38 by Stephaine on January 15, 2008 - 8:36 PM
Oooohhhh bubbles…… and you gotta love it when they go potty!
BTW….you can quit nagging me—I VOTED!
LOL…
#39 by Amanda on January 15, 2008 - 9:42 PM
I’m supposed to be clicking the links? Why are you forcing me to subject myself to *the shriek* repeatedly? Do you not like me? :-O
So, I clicked them all. I am like a test rat pressing the button for pellets.
Also, I am highly guilty of yelling at/in front of Neilen. But is can be SO annoying. I love the little fart, but let’s be real. So he will just have to accept that his mommy is not very patient.
#40 by Stephanie on January 15, 2008 - 10:05 PM
I meant to ask you about that bubble machine, because it looks awesome! Looks like we will be making a trip to Wal Mart this weekend.
I haven’t even begun to think about the potty thing, and I think my son is only a few weeks younger than Braden. Oh yay, can’t wait for that fun!
I totally know what you mean about the yelling/shrieking thing. We SO need to work on that!
Stephanie’s last blog post..I WON, I WON!!!
#41 by oliveoyl64 on January 16, 2008 - 4:55 PM
I am so glad I have a 13 yr. old. I wouldn’t trade anything to go back to potty training. Even as they get older, it is still impossible to teach ANY man to “hit’ the pot. That is why the BOY cleans his own toilet.
On the thyroid issue, I guess we have to PHYSICALLY do damage to ourselves or SOMEONE else to get properly treated for the depression. That is truly the part that sucks about HT. I have to keep reminding myself that I am NOT crazy or lazy.
oliveoyl64’s last blog post..Just checking in.
#42 by wnkftazrg adcstbgoq on February 2, 2008 - 4:51 PM
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#43 by zpalqtu tygxs on February 2, 2008 - 4:54 PM
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